JP2012194768A - Image processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing unit capable of achieving cost reduction of a gate device in which a passage direction of a user in a passage way is bidirectional.SOLUTION: In an image processing unit 11, frame images picked up by an imaging unit 10A an imaging area of which is a peripheral portion of one entrance opening through which a user enters a passage way and an imaging unit 10B an imaging area of which is a peripheral portion of the other entrance opening are inputted into an image input unit 13. An image processing unit 15 performs processing of the frame image picked up by the selected one imaging unit 10A (or 10B). In addition, the frame image picked up by the non-selected other imaging unit 10B (or 10A) is stored in an image storing unit 14. When entrance of the user through the entrance opening which the non-selected other imaging unit 10B picks up an image is detected, the frame image stored in the image storing unit 14 is utilized.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing unit that processes a captured image of a user who has entered a passage of a gate device in which a user's passage direction is bidirectional.

  Conventionally, at a ticket gate of a railroad station, a ticket gate process is performed by an automatic ticket gate for users who enter the station or users who enter from the station. The automatic ticket gate accepts tickets such as tickets, commuter passes, prepaid tickets, etc. possessed by the user, reads the ticket information recorded on this ticket, and based on the read ticket information, It is determined whether or not the ticket gate passage is accessible to the user. If the automatic ticket gate determines that the user is allowed to pass the ticket gate, it opens the door provided on the exit side of the ticket gate, and conversely determines that the user is not permitted to pass the ticket gate. Then, the door provided on the exit side of the ticket gate is closed.

  Also, in general railway companies, users are classified into infants (under 6 years old), children (over 6 years old and under 12 years old), or adults (over 12 years old) by age, and tickets for the use of railways Value (ride) is set. In general, infants do not need a ticket to use the railway. Children and adults need a ticket to use the railway, but the value of a child's ticket is usually half that of an adult ticket. The ticket information recorded on the ticket includes information indicating whether it is for children or for adults.

  Further, Patent Document 1 estimates an age of a user from a frame image obtained by imaging a user passing through a ticket gate, and determines whether the user is an infant, a child, or an adult. Proposing a machine.

JP 2009-205495 A

  However, in an automatic ticket gate in which two ticket gate units are arranged so as to face each other and a user's passage direction is bidirectional in a ticket gate passage formed between these ticket gate units, an imaging device is provided for each passage direction. In addition, an image processing unit for processing a frame image captured for each imaging apparatus has to be provided. Therefore, an automatic ticket gate for determining whether or not a ticket gate is allowed to pass using a user attribute (age or the like) estimated by processing a frame image obtained by imaging the user in a bidirectional direction for the user in the passage. Is expensive, and cost reduction is desired.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing unit that can reduce the cost of a gate device that makes a passage direction of a user in a passage bidirectional and processes a frame image obtained by imaging the user to determine whether or not a ticket gate passage is permitted. There is.

  The image processing unit of the present invention is configured as follows in order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object.

  The image processing unit of the present invention processes an image of a user who has entered a passage of a gate device in which the user's passage direction is bidirectional. In this image processing, for example, the attribute of the user who is being imaged is estimated. The gate device uses the processing result of the image processing unit to determine whether or not the user can pass through the passage.

  In the image processing unit, the frame image captured by the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit is input to the image input unit. The imaging area of the first imaging unit is around one entrance where the user enters the passage, and the imaging area of the second imaging unit is around the other entrance.

  The selection unit selects one of the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit. The image processing unit processes a frame image captured by one imaging unit selected by the selection unit. The image processing unit estimates the attribute of the user who is being imaged, for example. The processing result of the image processing unit is notified to the gate device. The image storage unit stores a frame image captured by the other imaging unit that is not selected by the selection unit.

  The selection unit switches the imaging unit to be selected in accordance with an instruction from the gate device. For example, when the gate device detects the user's entry into the passage, the gate device instructs selection of an imaging unit in which the vicinity of the entrance on the side where the user enters is set as the imaging area. In addition, when the gate device receives a medium (such as a ticket or an ID card) at the medium reception unit arranged around the entrance, the gate device is located near the entrance on the side where the medium reception unit that receives the medium is arranged. Is selected as an imaging area.

  The image processing unit processes the frame image stored in the image storage unit when the selection unit switches the selection of the imaging unit in accordance with an instruction from the gate device. As described above, when the selection unit switches the selection of the imaging unit, the image processing unit also processes a frame image captured in the past, so that a decrease in estimation accuracy of the attribute of the user being captured is suppressed. It is done.

  In order to ensure the accuracy of attribute estimation, it is necessary to use a frame image obtained by capturing the user's face almost from the front. Therefore, the more frame images in which the user's face is captured, the higher the possibility that there is a frame image suitable for attribute estimation, and the reduction in attribute estimation accuracy can be suppressed.

  Further, the image storage unit stores, for example, a predetermined number of frame images (about 3 to 10 frames), and when the number of stored frames reaches a predetermined number, the stored oldest frame in time The image may be rewritten to a newly stored frame image. In this way, the storage capacity of the image storage unit can be suppressed, and the cost increase can be suppressed.

  Further, as described above, this image processing unit can process a captured image of a user who passes through the passage bidirectionally with one image processing unit. Therefore, the cost of the gate device can be reduced by using this image processing unit.

  Furthermore, when the imaging unit to be selected is not instructed from the gate device, the selection of the first imaging unit or the second imaging unit may be switched every time the image processing unit processes the frame image. In this way, it is possible to detect the presence of the user before the user enters the passage, and the deterioration of the estimation accuracy of the user attributes and the like can be further suppressed.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a gate device for determining whether or not a ticket gate is allowed to pass using a user's direction of passage in a passage and using a user attribute estimated by processing a frame image obtained by imaging the user. Cost can be reduced.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of an automatic ticket gate. It is the schematic which shows the external appearance of an automatic ticket gate. It is a top view by the side of the passage of an automatic ticket gate. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of an image processing unit. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a ticket gate unit. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an image processing unit. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an idle mode. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of an idle mode. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of approach detection mode. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of approach detection mode. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of attribute estimation mode. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of attribute estimation mode. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of attribute estimation mode.

  Hereinafter, an image processing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an automatic ticket gate having an image processing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the appearance of an automatic ticket gate according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the passage side of the automatic ticket gate (one ticket gate unit).

  This automatic ticket gate 1 has two ticket gate units 1A and 1B facing each other, and the direction of user's passage in the ticket gate passage formed between these automatic ticket gate units 1A and 1B is bidirectional. . The automatic ticket gate 1 corresponds to the gate device referred to in the present invention. In FIG. 2, the ticket gate unit 1 </ b> A performs ticket gate processing for a user who passes through the ticket gate passage in the direction A. In FIG. 2, the ticket gate unit 1B performs a ticket gate process on a user who passes through the ticket gate passage in the B direction. The A direction is the direction to enter the station, and the B direction is the direction to enter from the station. That is, the ticket gate unit 1A performs a ticket gate process for users who enter the station, and the ticket gate unit 1B performs a ticket gate process for users who enter the station.

  Each ticket gate unit 1A, 1B includes a ticket processing unit 3 (3A, 3B), a user detection unit 4 (4A, 4B), a display unit 5 (5A, 5B), and a door opening / closing unit 6 (6A, 6B). ) And a notification unit 7 (7A, 7B). Further, the ticket gate unit 1A includes a control unit 2 and a communication unit 8 (the ticket gate unit 1B does not include the control unit 2 and the communication unit 8). The automatic ticket gate 1 includes an imaging unit 10 (10A, 10B) and an image processing unit 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the following description, the ticket processing unit 3 (3A, 3B), the user detection unit 4 (4A, 4B), the display unit 5 (5A, 5B), the door opening / closing unit 6 (6A, 6B), and notification About the part 7 (7A, 7B), the code | symbol of A and B may be abbreviate | omitted.

  The control unit 2 controls the operation of each unit of the ticket gate units 1A and 1B.

  The ticket processing unit 3 receives a ticket held by a user who passes through the ticket gate, and reads and writes the ticket information recorded on the received ticket. The ticket processing unit 3 includes a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with a non-contact IC card. An antenna 3a for performing wireless communication with the non-contact IC card is provided on the entrance side of the ticket gate passage. The non-contact IC card is a ticket that has a wireless communication function and records ticket information in a built-in memory. The ticket processing unit 3 reads the ticket information recorded on the non-contact IC card and writes the ticket information on the non-contact IC card by wireless communication with the non-contact IC card. The boarding ticket corresponds to the medium referred to in the present invention.

  In addition, there is also a magnetic ticket in which the ticket information is recorded as magnetic data. Although FIG. 2 illustrates the ticket gate units 1A and 1B that do not have a configuration for processing the magnetic ticket, the ticket processing unit 3 may have a function of processing the magnetic ticket. As is well known, the function of processing the magnetic ticket is to form a transport path for transporting the magnetic ticket between the input port provided on the entrance side and the discharge port provided on the exit side. In this configuration, the magnetic data recorded on the magnetic ticket being conveyed is read and the magnetic data is written.

  The user detection unit 4 detects the position of the user in the ticket gate passage by a plurality of sensors provided along the ticket gate passage at appropriate intervals. That is, the user detection units 4A and 4B can track the position of the user in the ticket gate passage after the user enters the ticket gate passage and exits. Specifically, the sensor is a transmissive optical sensor, and is disposed such that the light emitting element 4a and the light receiving element 4b are opposed to each other with a passage therebetween. In the ticket gate unit 1, light emitting elements 4a and light receiving elements 4b are alternately arranged along the passage.

  The display unit 5 displays a guidance message or the like for a user traveling through the ticket gate passage on a display 5a provided near the center of the ticket gate passage. Moreover, the door opening / closing part 6 restricts the passage of the user in the ticket gate passage by opening and closing the door 6a provided on the exit side of the ticket gate passage.

  The ticket gate units 1A and 1B also have a door 6a on the entrance side of the ticket gate passage.

  If the user who has entered the ticket gate does not have a proper boarding ticket, the notification unit 7 performs a warning sound or the like.

  The communication unit 8 performs communication with a host device such as a station server (not shown) installed in the station service room. Communication with the image processing unit 11 is also performed.

  The imaging unit 10A is attached to the ticket gate unit 1A. The imaging unit 10B is attached to the ticket gate unit 1B. The imaging area of the imaging unit 10B is a video camera that inputs frame images captured at regular time intervals (for example, 100 to 200 ms) to the image processing unit 11. The imaging unit 10A has a field of view attached to the entrance side of a ticket gate passage for a user (a user who enters the station premises) whose ticket gate unit 1A performs ticket gate processing. The imaging unit 10B has a field of view attached to the entrance side of the ticket gate passage for a user (a user who enters from the station premises) for which the ticket gate unit 1B performs a ticket gate process.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the image processing unit. The image processing unit 11 includes a control unit 12, an image input unit 13, an image storage unit 14, an image processing unit 15, and a communication unit 16. Imaging units 10A and 10B are connected to the image input unit 13, and frame images captured by the imaging units 10A and 10B are input. The image storage unit 14 stores several frames (about 3 to 10 frames) of the frame image input to the image input unit 13. The image processing unit 15 processes the frame image stored in the image storage unit 14 to detect the presence / absence of the user being imaged and to determine attributes such as age and sex from the face image of the user being imaged. Performs attribute estimation processing to be estimated. The communication unit 16 controls communication with the ticket gate unit 1.

  This automatic ticket gate 1 classifies the user into one of the attributes of an infant (under 6 years old), a child (over 6 years old and under 12 years old), and an adult (over 12 years old), and the ticket gates according to the divided attributes. Judgment on passage of passage. Specifically, infants are allowed to pass through the ticket gates even if they do not have a ticket. In addition, children and adults are permitted to pass through the ticket gate if they have an appropriate ticket, but they do not have a ticket or have an incorrect ticket. , Do not allow passage in the ticket gate. There are two types of tickets: children's tickets and adults' tickets.

  In addition, when the user enters from both sides of the ticket gate passage at approximately the same timing, the automatic ticket gate 1 performs a ticket gate process on the user who has received the boarding ticket first. That is, the ticket gate processing by the ticket gate unit 1A (or 1B) on the side that has received the ticket first is validated, and the ticket gate processing by the other ticket gate unit 1B (or 1A) is temporarily stopped.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the automatic ticket gate 1 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ticket gate process in the ticket gate unit. Here, the ticket gate unit 1A will be described as an example, but the same applies to the ticket gate unit 1B.

  The ticket gate unit 1A waits whether it detects the user's entry into the ticket gate passage (s1) or accepts the ticket at the ticket processing unit 3A (s2). Further, after detecting the entry of the user into the ticket gate at s1, the ticket gate unit 1A determines whether the user reaches the no-ticket detection position (s3) or whether the user turns back the passage and exits ( s4). The no-tag detection position is a position slightly inside the passage than the antenna 3a provided at the entrance of the ticket gate passage.

  When the ticket gate unit 1A detects the user's entry into the ticket gate passage at s1, the ticket gate unit 1A starts the tracking process of the user in the ticket gate passage (s5) and notifies the image processing unit 11 of the entry detection ( s6). This tracking process is performed by the user detection unit 4 in the ticket gate passage whenever the sensor state of the light emitting element 4a and the light receiving element 4b in which the user detection unit 4 detects the user position changes. Is a process of detecting The tracking process ends when the user leaves the ticket gate.

  When the ticket gate unit 1A receives the ticket at s2, the ticket gate unit 1A notifies the opposite ticket gate unit 1B of a ticket gate stop instruction (s7) and also notifies the image processing unit 11 of an attribute estimation request ( s8). When the ticket gate unit 1B receives a ticket stop instruction from the opposite ticket gate unit 1A, the ticket gate unit 1B stops accepting the ticket at the ticket processing unit 3B. That is, the ticket gate unit 1B temporarily stops the ticket gate process. Further, when receiving the attribute notification request, the image processing unit 11 estimates the attributes (age, gender, etc.) of the user who has entered the ticket gate this time, and notifies the estimated attributes to the ticket gate unit 1A. The operation of the image processing unit 11 will be described later.

  When it is determined that the user has reached the no-ticket detection position in s3, the ticket gate unit 1A determines whether or not the ticket information is associated with the user (s9). The ticket gate unit 1A associates the ticket information read from the ticket accepted in s2 with the user. In other words, the ticket information is not associated with the user who has not accepted the ticket at s2.

  When the ticket information is associated with the user, the ticket gate unit 1A uses the ticket information and the attribute associated with the user to determine whether or not the ticket gate passage is permitted ( s10). As described above, the ticket gate unit 1A makes an attribute estimation request to the image processing unit 11 in s8, and the user attributes (age, gender) included in the response from the image processing unit 11 to this request. Etc.) is associated with this user. When the ticket gate unit 1A determines that the user can pass, the door opening / closing part 6 opens the door 6a located on the exit side of the ticket gate passage (s11), and the user exits the ticket gate passage. (S16).

  In addition, if the ticket gate unit 1A is a user who has not received a ticket, the ticket gate unit 1A determines whether or not the attribute (age) associated with the ticket gate unit is less than 6 years old (toddler who does not require a ticket) (s12). ). When it is determined that the ticket gate unit 1A is an infant under 6 years old at s12, the ticket gate unit 1A executes the above-described processing after s11.

  When the ticket gate unit 1A determines in s12 that the user is not an infant under 6 years old, the display unit 5 displays a warning message indicating that the user cannot pass through the display unit 5a, and the notification unit 7 performs notification using a warning sound ( s13). The ticket gate unit 1A determines whether or not the age associated with the user who has determined that the user is not an infant under 6 years old in s12 is 60 years or older (elderly) (s14). When it is determined that the ticket gate unit 1A is an elderly person in s14, the ticket gate unit 1A executes the above-described processing after s11. That is, if the user who cannot pass is an elderly person, it opens without closing the door 6a. This prevents an elderly person from colliding with the closed door 6a.

  If the ticket gate unit 1A determines that it is not an elderly person in s14, the door opening / closing section 6 closes the door 6a located on the exit side of the ticket gate passage (s15), and the user exits the ticket gate passage in s16 described above. Wait for the exit.

  In step s15, the user enters the ticket gate before this user, waits for the user who has been determined to be allowed to pass, or an elderly person to exit the ticket gate, and closes the door 6a.

  When the user exits the ticket gate, the ticket gate unit 1A determines whether there is another user in the ticket gate (s17). In s17, it is determined whether there is a user who has entered the ticket gate passage following the user who has exited the ticket gate passage (the user who was the target of the ticket gate processing). The ticket gate process shown in FIG. 5 is also performed for this user. If the ticket gate unit 1A determines that there is no other user in the ticket gate passage at s17, the ticket gate unit 1A notifies the image processing unit 11 of an idle state (s18), and ends this processing. Further, the ticket gate unit 1B restarts the ticket gate processing that has been temporarily stopped by the ticket gate stop instruction notified in s7 described above.

  Next, the operation of the image processing unit 11 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image processing unit. The image processing unit 11 shifts to the idle mode when notified of the idle state from the ticket gate unit 1 (s21, s22). Further, if there is an entry detection notification from the ticket gate unit 1, the image processing unit 11 shifts to the entry detection mode (s23, s24). Further, if there is a notification of an attribute estimation request from the ticket gate unit 1, the image processing unit 11 shifts to the attribute estimation mode (s25, s26). The image processing unit 11 repeatedly executes the processes of s21 to s26.

  An operation in the idle mode in the image processing unit 11 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation in the idle mode. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the operation in the idle state. In the image processing unit 11, frame images captured by the imaging units 10 </ b> A and 10 </ b> B are input to the image input unit 13. When in the idle mode, the image processing unit 11 switches the selected imaging units 10A and 10B (s31). The image processing unit 11 captures the captured image input to the image input unit 13 from the imaging unit 10A (or 10B) selected this time into the image processing unit 15 (s32), and determines whether the user is captured Processing is performed (s33). If the image processing unit 11 determines in s33 that the user has not been imaged, it returns to s31 and repeats the above processing.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, at time T1, a frame image captured by the image capturing unit 10A on the ticket gate unit 1A side is processed by the image processing unit 15, and if a user is not captured in this frame image, the time T2 , The image processing unit 15 processes the frame image captured by the imaging unit 10B on the ticket gate unit 1B side. That is, the image processing unit 11 executes the processing according to s31 to s33, so that the image processing unit 15 alternately processes the frame images captured by the imaging units 10A and 10B, and the presence / absence of the user being imaged is determined. Detect. Time T1 to time T4 show an example in which the processing relating to s31 to s33 is repeated.

  In s33, the user is detected before entering the ticket gate, and this user does not necessarily enter the ticket gate.

  If the image processing unit 11 determines that the user is imaged in s33, the image processing unit 11 estimates the attribute of the user (s34). Thereafter, the image processing unit 11 stores the frame image captured by the imaging unit 10A (or 10B) on the unselected side in the image storage unit 14 (s35), and returns to s32. That is, the image processing unit 15 repeatedly processes the frame image captured by the imaging unit 10A (or 10B) that has detected the user being imaged, and the frame image captured by the opposite imaging unit 10B (or 10A). The image is stored in the image storage unit 14.

  For example, when it is detected that the user is captured in the frame image captured by the image capturing unit 10A at time T5 shown in FIG. 8, the frame image captured by the image capturing unit 10A is also captured by the image processing unit 15 at the next time T6. To process. Further, the frame image captured by the imaging unit 10B at time T6 is stored in the image storage unit 14.

  The image storage unit 14 is configured to store a predetermined number of frame images (about 3 to 10 frames). When a predetermined number of frames are already stored, the image storage unit 14 newly stores the oldest image stored in time. Rewrite the input frame image (latest frame image).

  Note that the frame image captured by the imaging unit 10A (or 10B) on the side processed by the image processing unit 15 is deleted when it is captured by the image processing unit 15.

  After that, when the image processing unit 11 is in a state where the user is not captured in the frame image, the process returns to s31.

  For example, when the imaging unit 10A determines that the user is not captured in the frame image captured at time T7 illustrated in FIG. 8, the processing after time T2 illustrated in FIG. 8 is executed. In this case, the image processing unit 15 continuously processes the frame images captured by the imaging unit 10A from time T5 to time T7, and the frames captured by the imaging unit 10B at times T6 and T7. The image is stored in the image storage unit 14.

  Thus, in the idle state, before the user enters the ticket gate, the user is detected and attribute estimation processing is performed in advance, so that more frames in which the user is captured are captured. The user's attribute can be estimated using the image. Therefore, a decrease in attribute estimation accuracy can be suppressed.

  Next, the operation in the entry detection mode in the image processing unit 11 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation in this approach detection mode. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the operation in this approach detection mode. The image processing unit 11 selects the imaging unit 10A (or 10B) on the side where the user's entry is detected, and captures the frame image captured by the selected imaging unit 10A (or 10B) into the image processing unit 15. (S41). Further, the frame image captured by the imaging unit 10B (or 10A) on the side where the user's entry is not detected is stored in the image storage unit 14 (s42).

  Also in this case, as in the above-described idle mode, the frame image captured by the imaging unit 10A (or 10B) on the side (selected side) processed by the image processing unit 15 is the image processing unit 15. When it is taken in, it is deleted.

  The image processing unit 15 processes the frame image captured in s41, and if the user has been imaged, estimates the attribute (s43, s44). The image processing unit 11 repeats the processes of s41 to s44 while in the approach detection state.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the image processing unit 11, when the user's entry into the ticket gate is detected on the ticket gate unit 1 </ b> A side, every time a frame image is input from the imaging unit 10 </ b> A, Are captured in the image processing unit 15, and the detection of the user and the estimation of the attribute of the user are repeated (time T11 to time T17). In addition, the frame image input from the imaging unit 10B is stored in the image storage unit 14 (time T11 to time T17).

  Further, unlike the above-described idle mode, the image processing unit 11 is in the approach detection mode, even if the user cannot be detected from the frame image input from the imaging unit 10A at time T14 shown in FIG. The selection of the imaging unit 10A is not switched. That is, even at the next time T15, the selection of the imaging unit 10A that captures the frame image processed by the image processing unit 15 is not switched. This is because the user whose entry has been detected has only temporarily deviated from the imaging field of the imaging unit 10A (or 10B) and has not left the ticket gate. If the ticket gate is exited, the ticket gate unit 1A (or 1B) notifies the idle mode state in s18 described above.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, at a certain time (time T15 to time T17), the user may be imaged in the frame image of the imaging unit 10B that is not selected. This frame image is not processed by the image processing unit 15 at this time, but is stored in the image storage unit 14. The stored frame image may be used in an attribute estimation mode described later.

  As described above, in the entry detection mode, since the attribute estimation process is performed for the user who has entered the ticket gate before accepting the user's ticket, the user is imaged more. This user's attribute can be estimated using the frame image. Therefore, a decrease in attribute estimation accuracy can be suppressed.

  Next, the operation of the attribute estimation mode in the image processing unit 11 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of this attribute estimation mode. FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams showing the operation of this attribute estimation mode.

  The image processing unit 11 determines whether or not the ticket gate unit 1A (or 1B) that has transmitted the attribute estimation request is the selected imaging unit 10A (or 10B) (s51). If the image processing unit 11 is the selected imaging unit 10A (or 10B), the attribute is estimated in advance in the above-described idle mode or approach detection mode. The image processing unit 11 processes the frame image input from the selected imaging unit 10A (or 10B) when the attribute estimation request is notified, and estimates the attribute of the user. (S53).

  Further, if the image processing unit 11 is not selected, the image processing unit 11 determines whether or not there is a frame image stored in the image storage unit 14 (s52). If there is no stored image, the frame image input this time is processed to estimate the user's attributes (s53). In this case, the attribute of the user may be estimated by processing frame images for several frames inputted thereafter.

  If there is a frame image stored in the image storage unit 14, the attribute of the user is estimated using the stored frame image and the frame image input this time (s54). That is, the image processing unit 15 estimates the attribute of the user using a plurality of frames in which the user is captured.

  The image processing unit 11 notifies the ticket gate unit 1A (or 1B) of the estimation result of estimating the user attributes (s55), and shifts to the above-described entry detection state (s56). The reason for shifting to the entry detection state in s56 is to respond to the user who enters the ticket gate passage following the user whose attribute has been estimated this time.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, if the imaging unit 10A on the ticket gate unit 1A side is selected at times T21 to T23, and there is an attribute estimation request from the ticket gate unit 1A at time T24, the times T21 to T23 are displayed. The user's attributes are estimated in advance by processing the frame image input in between. In addition, the image processing unit 15 processes the frame image input from the imaging unit 10A at time T24 and estimates the user's attributes. The image processing unit 11 processes the plurality of frame images and transmits the estimated user attributes to the ticket gate unit 1A as estimation results. Further, after time T25, the frame image input from the imaging unit 10A is processed by the image processing unit 15, and the frame image input from the imaging unit 10B is stored in the image storage unit 14.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the imaging unit 10A on the ticket gate unit 1A side is selected at times T21 to T23, if there is an attribute estimation request from the ticket gate unit 1B at time T24, the image storage unit 14 The user imaged by the image processing unit 15 for each frame image captured by the image capturing unit 10B and the frame image (that is, a plurality of frame images) captured by the image capturing unit 10B input at time T24. Estimate the attributes of Therefore, also in this case, the estimation accuracy of the user's attribute is not lowered. In addition, the image processing unit 15 causes the image processing unit 15 to process the frame image input from the imaging unit 10B after time T25. Further, the image storage unit stores the frame image input from the imaging unit 10A in the image storage unit 14 after time T24.

  The image processing unit 11 enters the attribute estimation mode after receiving the attribute estimation request, transmits the attribute estimation result to the ticket gate unit 1A (or 1B), and then shifts to the entry detection mode.

  As described above, the image processing unit 11 has a single image processing unit 15 that processes the frame images capturing the entrances on both sides of the ticket gate, so that the cost can be reduced sufficiently. Thereby, the cost reduction of the automatic ticket gate 1 which made the direction of a user's passage in a ticket gate a bidirectional | two-way can be aimed at.

  Moreover, since the attribute of the user who entered the ticket gate is estimated using a plurality of frame images, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the estimation accuracy of the user attribute.

  In the above description, the present invention is applied to the automatic ticket gate 1 installed at the ticket gate of the station. However, the present invention is a gate installed at the entrance of a facility such as an amusement park or a theme park. It can also be applied to devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic ticket gate 1A, 1B ... Ticket gate unit 2 ... Control part 3 (3A, 3B) ... Passage ticket processing part 4 (4A, 4B) ... User detection part 5 (5A, 5B) ... Display part 6 (6A, 6B) ... Door opening / closing part 7 (7A, 7B) ... notification part 8 ... communication part 10 ... imaging part 11 ... image processing unit 12 ... control part 13 ... image input part 14 ... image storage part 15 ... image processing part 16 ... communication Part

Claims (6)

An image processing unit for processing a captured image of a user who has entered a passage of a gate device in which a user's passage direction is bidirectional,
A frame image captured by the first imaging unit having the imaging area around one entrance where the user enters the passage and the second imaging unit having the imaging area around the other entrance is input. An image input unit,
A selection unit for selecting one of the first imaging unit or the second imaging unit;
An image processing unit that processes a frame image captured by one imaging unit selected by the selection unit, which is input to the image input unit;
An image storage unit that stores a frame image that is input to the image input unit and captured by the other imaging unit that is not selected by the selection unit;
The image processing unit is an image processing unit that processes a frame image stored in the image storage unit when the selection unit switches selection of the imaging unit in accordance with an instruction from the gate device.   The image processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the image storage unit stores a predetermined number of frame images recently captured by the other imaging unit not selected by the selection unit.   When the gate device detects the entry of the user into the passage with respect to the selection unit, the selection of the imaging unit with the vicinity of the entrance on the side where the user enters the passage as an imaging area. The image processing unit according to claim 1, wherein   When the gate device receives a medium at the medium receiving unit arranged around the entrance with respect to the selection unit, the gate device is located around the entrance on the side where the medium accepting unit that accepts the medium is placed. The image processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit is instructed to select the imaging unit having the imaging area as an imaging area.   The selection unit selects the first imaging unit or the second imaging unit every time the image processing unit processes a frame image when the imaging unit to be selected is not instructed from the gate device. The image processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit is switched alternately.   When the selection unit detects that a user is captured in a frame image processed by the image processing unit when the imaging unit to be selected is not instructed from the gate device, the selection unit captures the frame image. The image processing unit according to claim 5, wherein the imaging unit on the side is selected.

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